For standard frame bikes, i.e. steel and aluminum, most of the frames are made in Taiwan by subcontractors to the specific manufacturer's specs. Carbon fiber frames are a different matter, but they will be way, way out of your price range, unless you wan to spend north of $3000. The components on the bikes, such as derailleurs, shifting levers, brakes, etc. are where you are likely to have issues, so make sure they are all of decent quality and are adjusted properly. There is nothing more frustrating than climbing a hill, trying to shift to a lower gear, then find your chain has come off and you're peddling air. Don't worry quite so much about the brand name of the bike as the quality of the components.

I bought a Specialized Rockhopper and it has given me good service for over 25 years, though it is now outdated compared to the new bikes. Sometimes I think about buying a new "comfort" bike, but I'm not ready to yield to the onset of senility. There are also a lot of good compact folding bikes that would serve well, provided no trail rides are contemplated. Also, one might consider a folding electric bike which is essentially a folding bike with a battery and electric motor added.

This is not what the OP is interested in, I'm pretty sure, but I got a Rad Power Bikes RadRover several months ago. It's a fat tire bike; I wanted something I could ride on the beach. It does great on the road too, but it is heavy and hard to carry around. Never the less, I take it everywhere and ride nearly every chance I get. I don't know how to explain it, but an electric bike is really something different! Anyway, Rad makes folding electric bikes an several other models to choose from. They are mostly around $1500 delivered. So maybe not for the OP, but I think it's a great bike to have while camping or anywhere else.

What are your thoughts on Cannondale? A stopped by a local Pawn and they had one out front. I didn't check the price as I always thought they were very heavy construction due to a 400+ pound buddy of mine had bought one a few years back... The one at the pawn had Disk Brakes. I've never seen that on a bike before.

If you are asking me..They make decent bikes. But the question you ask is like asking "Thoughts on Ford" ... well it's a long way from a Focus to a GT, in every aspect of the words.

Cannondales can be had new for between about $400 and $6K.. The $400 does everything the $6K one does. It just isn't made of higher grade materials, lighter tubing, top end components, etc..

Remember: Strong, Light, Inexpensive.. Pick two.

Disc brakes on bicycles started about 20 years ago. They have matured a long way from the first ones, and the technology has moved down stream to much less expensive bikes then they debuted on.. Just like cruise control and air bags in cars.. Disc brakes are in general, much better then rim brakes, but both work.

Signature removed, so as not to trigger any non Ford owners, non Irish Setter owners, current R-Pod owners, unhandy or mod negative Pod owners, or single campers of any gender.

We bought the Schwinn folding Loop bikes, they are low price and served our purpose. Not a good bike for off road in sand but on a fairly solid surface they do fine. We bought different more comfortable seats other than that they have been good useful bikes for us.

At $80 for two, how can you go wrong? If you wind up wanting something different just re-sell them, no harm done. Ditto if you find you're not riding them.

Unless of course the bikes are stolen property, it is CL after all. But that's usually pretty obvious when you talk to the sellers, that's a benefit of buying local.

Well the guys 1st buyer fell through so I was #2 in line and drove over to Destin to pick them up. No concern re being stolen. Turns out they are a non profit organization operated out of St Andrews Episcopal Church. They take donations of cash or bikes. The better bikes they fix and sale to pay for parts for all the bikes that they fix and give to the homeless or indigent populations. I forget the number of bikes he told me over the past few years but it was in the thousands. He has a parts distributer that gives him a hefty discount so the money goes even further. All for charity. Can't go wrong there.

Anyway I got the two folding bikes. They need a few adjustments and will be replacing the seats to fit our non-20 year old butts. Otherwise very happy with the purchase.

Kewl. Sounds like a deal and a local charity gets the benefit. Can't beat that. You can always upgrade to something else if you get into riding a lot, and even donate them back to pay it forward and get a tax write off while you're at it

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